What does a train service using existing rail cost?

[Ulysses]

I am a member of Cairns Action for Sustainable Transport (CAST). We want to lobby for a train to be used on the existing rail line between Gordonvale and Cairns and Redlynch (~10 and 25 km respectively), at least for commuting.
State government's mantra is that trains can only be considered for much larger populations (presently about 150,000-200,000 people in the area).
We believe that with peak oil and climate change we need to act now and ideally we envision a tram-train system, but first we want to see a train on the existing and hardly used railway line.
What we need is some rough figures of what a suitable train (ideally with on-board bike facilities) would cost - new and/or secondhand. We also need some very rough idea what the running costs would be. The line is almost level but currently not electrified, so diesel is probably the only feasible power source for starters unless someone knows of a feasible alternative?!?
Also how much would additional platforms cost (either steel or concrete)?
Right now we need a rough order of magnitude costing.
We'd also appreciate a rough idea of what a feasibility study would cost.
Thanks for any help.

[ozbob]

Welcome Ulysses!

I cannot give you a direct cost, but we can say we were quoted over $20,000 for a train to demonstrate the utility of a commuter service from Helidon to Rosewood/Ipswich!

Maybe hybrid rail motors could be used to great effect in Cairns.  Any idea of the loads?

A commuter service would come under the TransLink Transit Authority and therefore would be (and it should be) funded as for normal public transport services, with accessible and affordable ticketing.

Initially diesel hauled stainless steel set carriages would work fine (but with the usual myopia most have been flogged off to NZ I think ..) 

It is a great move and one we strongly support!

Best wishes
Bob

[Ulysses]

Dear Bob,

Thanks for your response.
You say: "we were quoted over $20,000 for a train to demonstrate the utility of a commuter service"
Please clarify, is this a hire fee? and if yes for what period of time.
We are looking more for purchasing cost and believe that to be in the millions.
We'd love to be able to show that buying and running a train on that existing line could be cheaper than adding a third lane each way to the highway and even if it is not directly, associated savings in less accidents, more walking improving health, less overall energy used to move people, less greenhouse gas emissions etc should make the train the better option.
However we need to get the numbers ourselves as government has no intention to do so, so we hope that we can get some help from other rail enthusiasts here.
Thanks

[ozbob]

Hi Ulysses,

the $20K+ was just a once hire for a train.

I am sure that some other folks will chime in time.

As time permits I will see what I can dig up.

Also have a chat to the guys who run the The Savannahlander
They might be able to give you a guide to costs as well.

Regards
Bob